Calgary's Mike Carnegie kicks off annual campaign

It's not that we lose perspective. We just lose focus from time to time. And then there are guys like Mike Carnegie to bring it back for us. As a defensemen with the high-flying Calgary Roughnecks, Carnegie knows all about being part of a team. But when it comes to life outside of lacrosse, he's a champion there as well. His work for the people of Burma has been documented well, but can this ever be emphasized too much? It's one thing to click "like" on a Facebook page or sign an on-line petition. How many of us can say we've donated $30,000 to help people half a world away? As is the case with Carnegie, this story is not about him. It's about helping and that's why Saturday's home game against the Edmonton Rush serves as the kickoff for the third annual Mike Carnegie Burma Campaign.

Ive been involved with the charity for over three years now and Ive seen the difference Partners is making in these families lives. In the last year, more than 200,000 men, women and children were displaced from their homes due to ongoing conflicts and are in desperate need of the assistance that Partners Relief and Development Canada is providing, Carnegie told the Calgary Roughnecks website.

Carnegie also talked with TheCalgary Herald about the work he and his wife, Hayley, are doing.

"I've just helped with Partners in assisting them with some money to do refugee work, to build schools, to set up medical clinics, to assist with training, with animals and crops, all kinds of sustainable stuff," he told The Herald.

It's a country that's torn apart by violence, much of it from a government against its own people. And while Carnegie and his wife are doing what they can, the Roughnecks are on board as well. The team has sponsored 50/50 raffles during games and helps Partners run a silent auction through a portion of select ticket proceeds.

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